Running Column: The challenge of the Fifth Avenue Mile

Jim Gerweck

Published 8:36 pm, Saturday, September 15, 2012

I've often admonished readers of this column not to fear shorter distance races. To embrace their speed when events like the New Canaan Mile come along.

On Saturday, it's time to put my money, or at least my feet, where my mouth is when I cover 20 blocks of Manhattan in the Fifth Avenue Mile, the granddaddy of all road mile races, now in its 32nd year.

A lot of time and miles have passed since I last ran the iconic race. It was before I was married, so that makes it at least 22 years, maybe longer.

I do recall making the ill-advised decision to run the mile in New York, then run the Philadelphia Distance Run half marathon the next day, where it took at least three or four miles for the lactic acid to release my legs to some semblance of working order.

As usual, the Fifth Avenue Mile will feature a loaded field in the elite men's and women's heats, which culminate a full day of racing on the avenue.

Defending champs Bernard Lagat and Jenny Simpson will face Olympian and World Championships competitors, including Leo Manzano, whose silver medal in the London 1500 meters was the first by an American male in that event in 44 years. Olympic teammates Matt Centrowitz and Shannon Rowbury, who won the race in 2009 and 2010.

The wheelchair and handcycle race will kick off the event at 8:45 a.m. After that, entrants will run in divisions according to age and gender.

The professional women's race is scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m., followed by the professional men's race at 1 p.m. A total prize purse of $30,000 for the men's and women's professional races will be offered, with the two winners each receiving $5,000.

It's unlikely you'll ever get to race on the track with so many Olympians. But this Saturday you'll have a chance to stride down the same 20 blocks of Manhattan roadway a few hours before they do.

If you've never seen, or better yet run, the Fifth Avenue Mile, it's an event not to be missed.